50 per cent of NAE students score A*, A grades in the I/GCSEs

21 September 2018

An astounding 50 per cent of our students attained grades A*, A (or equivalent) in the I/GCSEs, two and half times the 2018 UK average of 20.5 per cent.

2017/2018 has been an incredibly strong year for Nord Anglia Education (NAE), with several students across our family of schools flying high by attaining outstanding I/GCSE exam results. The year has been the organisation’s best, with half our students taking these exams achieving grades A*-A, or equivalent, breaking last year’s record of 46.2 per cent.

Nord Anglia chief executive Andrew Fitzmaurice congratulated the students on their outstanding I/GCSE results, which significantly exceeded the UK average for the sixth year in a row.

“We are ambitious for all of our students and they deliver exceptional performances year in and year out,” Mr Fitzmaurice said.

Several schools had students that achieved outstanding results, while balancing charity work and extra curricula activities. At the British International School Washington (BISW) Thomas Pierce-Jones gained 11 A* grades, the highest possible achievement for any student undertaking the I/GCSE exams.

Lily Ashby at Nord Anglia School Dubai also achieved 11 A* grades. As Deputy Head Girl, Lily spearheaded the development of a project that supports students struggling at school.

Angel Lee at the British School of Guangzhou achieved 10 A* grades and a Grade 9 in the I/GCSEs. Apart from her academic success, Angel played a key part in her school’s charity leadership committee, adding the qualities of student leadership and service learning into her portfolio of achievements.

Sung Eun Choi at Regents International School Pattaya earned 10 A* grades in the I/GCSE, including a 100 per cent score in Additional Mathematics, an incredible achievement. Sung Eun is also a talented musician and devotes time to his passion thereby greatly contributing to life at school. Academic excellence and talent aside, Sung Eun has frequently demonstrated kindness to his fellow students, putting the needs of his classmates above his own on many occasions, which is arguably one his greatest achievements, his teachers said.

“This academic success is a testament to our Be Ambitious philosophy, highlighting the success of our personalised approach to learning and the hard work put in by our students, staff and schools around the world,” NAE’s Education Director Andy Puttock said.

The GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) are qualifications studied by children aged 14–16 within the English National Curriculum. Students study a wide range of subjects for two years, including coursework, before taking a standardised examination. IGCSEs (International GCSEs) are designed for students outside the UK. They are the equivalent of a standard GCSE and are recognised by UK institutions.

Note: NAE schools take examinations both with Pearson Edexcel, who use the new British system for grades (numbered 1-9) and Cambridge International Examinations, who continued to use the established A* to G grading. NAE uses the equivalence published by the British government to consolidate the figures.